indie studio Archives

AppWizard

September 10, 2025

The indie horror game that fought back against Monster Energy trademark trolling (and won) is now being made into a movie

Glowstick Entertainment has secured a deal with So It Goes Entertainment to adapt its survival horror game, Dark Deception, into a feature film. The game has sold over six-and-a-half million copies and has attracted 58 million players worldwide. The film adaptation will be written by Adrian Speckert and Cory Todd Hughes. Glowstick faced legal challenges from Monster Energy over the use of the term "monster" in their game title, but the US Patent and Trademark Office ruled in Glowstick's favor, allowing them to continue using "monster" in their titles.

AppWizard

September 8, 2025

After a messy legal battle, these devs are back with a brutal roguelike I’m so glad survived

Immortal: And the Death that Follows is the first release from the independent studio Mishura Games, formed by former employees of Limestone Games. The developers left due to allegations of unfulfilled financial promises and intellectual property disputes. The game is described as a "Kung-Fu Noir prison escape" inspired by Buddhist mythology, featuring high-octane combat, dating sim mechanics, and platforming elements. Players will face 16 mob bosses and make choices that affect relationships. The game is set to launch on Kickstarter with a free demo on September 16, and a full release is anticipated in 2027.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

Steam’s slop problem has gotten much worse as reports say the number of games using GenAI has gone up almost 800% in the last year alone

The number of games on Steam disclosing the use of Generative AI has surged by nearly 800% over the past year, with just under 8,000 titles currently utilizing this technology, representing approximately 7% of the total Steam library. A year ago, around 1,000 games were reported to disclose the use of Generative AI. The influx of low-effort, AI-generated content has raised concerns among developers and players, particularly regarding quality dilution in gaming storefronts like the Nintendo eShop. Some developers have faced imitation of their popular titles, leading to frustration over misleading consumers. While some developers have stopped using AI due to backlash, others have adopted defensive language about their practices. The reported figures reflect only those developers who voluntarily disclose their use of Generative AI, suggesting the actual prevalence may be higher. Generative AI is being used in various ways, including for content moderation in games like Comedy Night, which filters offensive user-uploaded content. An artist known for contributions to Persona and Shin Megami Tensei attempted to train an AI model to replicate their style but found the results unsatisfactory, illustrating the challenges of AI in creative fields.

AppWizard

June 30, 2025

We Love Every Game wants to solve Steam’s discoverability problem

We Love Every Game is a platform created by Boston-based Totally Human Media to help players discover quality PC games on Steam, which sees nearly 20,000 new titles each year. The initiative is led by Ichiro Lambe, a game developer with 30 years of experience, including founding Sony Online Entertainment Denver and Dejobaan Games. The platform recommends games that have at least an 80% positive review rating on Steam with a minimum of 30 reviews. It aims to connect gamers with titles that match their preferences and is exploring the use of generative AI to summarize game content. The founders plan to expand the platform to include other forms of entertainment media and are seeking a sustainable business model that respects user experience.

BetaBeacon

June 23, 2025

Our Favorite Picks for the Best Android TV Games

- Machinarium is an indie adventure game with hand-drawn visuals and logic puzzles. - This War of Mine is a survival-themed strategy game inspired by the Siege of Sarajevo. - Double Dragon Trilogy includes all three installments of the beat-em-up action game. - Death Road to Canada is a randomly-generated road trip action-RPG with lots of replay value. - Crossy Road is an endless road-crossing game with over 200 characters to unlock. - The Wolf Among Us is an episodic adventure game based on the Fables comic series. - Goat Simulator is a chaotic game where you play as a goat causing mayhem. - Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is considered one of the best RPGs of all time, set in the Star Wars universe.

AppWizard

June 18, 2025

Turns out that fantasy Factorio is a pretty good idea, and if you doubt me try the MoteMancer demo

MoteMancer is an automation game developed by indie studio CyanAvatar, where players act as an alchemical apprentice managing a magical factory across six elemental planes. Players extract elemental motes from magical energy veins, which can be mixed to create various materials and devices. The game features a non-linear research system that allows multitasking and unexpected discoveries. Each of the six interconnected worlds presents unique puzzles and challenges, requiring players to adapt their strategies as they transition between planes. The game utilizes a hexagonal layout for factory design, enhancing complexity. A demo is available on Steam, with progress potentially carrying over to the full game.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Amplitude secures $13.6m in funding

Developer Amplitude Studios has secured €12 million (.6 million) in funding from a Series A round led by Griffin Gaming Partners, which contributed €10 million. The funds will be used for developing projects like Endless Legend 2 and expanding the studio's capabilities. This funding follows Amplitude's management buyout from Sega. Amplitude CEO Romain de Waubert de Genlis emphasized the studio's commitment to its indie identity and creative vision, while Griffin partner Frankie Zhu highlighted the studio's success in creating strategy-based franchises.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

UnderDog reveals gameplay trailer for PS5/PC adventure game Mukti

Indian independent game developer UnderDogs Studio has unveiled the gameplay for its upcoming PS5 and PC title, Mukti, through a new gameplay trailer. Mukti is a first-person narrative adventure set in mid-2000s India, where players control Arya, a young woman searching for her grandfather in a museum while uncovering mysteries related to human trafficking. The game is part of Sony’s India Hero Project, with UnderDogs Studio collaborating with Sony for over a year. Players can wishlist Mukti on the PS Store for PS5 and on Steam for PC. The game is designed to utilize PS5 capabilities, offering immersive environments and 4K resolution, with optimized haptics and adaptive triggers for the DualSense controller. The tentative PC specifications include minimum requirements of Windows 10, Intel Core i5-9400F or AMD Ryzen 5 3500, 8 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 570, while recommended requirements include Windows 11, Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700, 16 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT. The Steam version will feature achievements, family sharing, and full controller support. UnderDogs Studio was founded in 2011 by Vaibhav Chavan and has developed over 250 games across various platforms.

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

How Late Producer Jill Messick First Saw The Mega Potential Of ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Through The Eyes Of Her Son

A Minecraft Movie has surpassed 0 million at the box office. Jill Messick, a producer, sought film rights from Mojang Studios in 2011 after observing her son Jackson's enthusiasm for the game. She successfully pitched the concept to Mojang's founder, Markus Persson, and later collaborated with CAA to secure the rights. Producer Roy Lee and Warner Bros. also pursued the rights, leading to a partnership with Messick. The deal was finalized in February 2014, and Mojang was sold to Microsoft for .5 billion shortly after. The film's development involved various writers and filmmakers over a decade. Jill Messick passed away in February 2018, and her contributions were honored at the film's premiere on March 30, coinciding with Mother’s Day in the U.K.

AppWizard

March 17, 2025

Retro-style survival horror game PHASE ZERO announced for PC

SPINA Studio and SUPERHOT PRESENTS are developing a retro-style survival horror game titled PHASE ZERO, set to launch on PC via Steam, with a demo expected soon. The game features episodic chapters focusing on two protagonists, set in the fictional town of Flint Peak in 1994 during a snowstorm. A mysterious illness transforms the town's inhabitants into grotesque creatures. Players will navigate the environment using fixed camera angles and prerendered backgrounds, reminiscent of 90s horror games. Key features include confronting mutated monsters, exploring a 3D pre-rendered environment, and experiencing a chilling soundtrack.